One of the emblematic monuments of Paris is the Eiffel Tower. It is one of those typical constructions discussed and rejected that time ends up placing in the place of a tourist and cultural icon.
The Eiffel Tower is the must-see when you are visiting the French capital, but how to climb the eiffel tower It is something you should know before setting foot in Paris.
The Eiffel Tower
It is a very tall wrought iron structure, that is, iron with a little carbon, which makes it a very hard and very malleable material. Is located on the Champs de Mars, in Paris, and bears the surname of its builder and designer, Gustave Eiffel.
Tower it was built between 1887 and 1889 as the heart of the 1889 World's Fair. It is 330 meters high, with 125 meters on each side. Obviously, at the time it was the tallest structure in the world and the title was held until 1930 when the Chrysler Building in New York took it away. It has three levels that receive visitors, restaurants and a platform that today is the highest open to the public in the EU.
The construction brought a lot of criticism, it was, after all, a horrible black iron construction, but nothing stopped it and the glory was the best reward. Beyond iron, technology was present in this XNUMXth century construction: it had elevators for visitors, always thinking of all those who would attend the world fair. So, several were installed. The one that reaches the first level did not imply difficulties, the one on the second was a little more challenging and the one that reaches the third level has already completed a mandatory transfer of passengers.
The Eiffel Tower opened nine days after the fair opened and still without the elevators operating. It doesn't matter: it was a success and no one cared about climbing the 1710 steps until the elevators started working. Imagine that: a dark iron tower decorated with white, red and blue gas lamps against the night sky of a shadowed Paris. Fantastic!
How to climb the Eiffel Tower
First, since we are talking about the lifts, it must be said that of the original three there are still two in operation. Perfectly preserved, being an important heritage of the exploits of the time.
Today there are several elevators that go from the ground floor to the second floor: one on the north pillar, one on the east and one on the west, all open to the public, one reserved for the Jules Verne restaurant on the south pillar and another for elevators on the same pillar. From the second floor to the top there are two batteries with two double cabins.
They are always under observation In one year they cover two and a half times the circumference of the Earth., more than 103 thousand kilometers. A lot! That is why they are constantly observed, reviewed and repaired. Everything, from the cabins, the electrical and computer systems, the machinery.
The original elevators were restored between 2008 and 2014 and we must bear in mind that these are not normal, common and current elevators. We might think that they were neither an elevator nor a funicular nor a cable car... There are cabins, pulleys, cables, a hydraulic circuit with pressurized water... So, they were modernized to adapt them to a more demanding and modern operation.
Going back to how to climb the Eiffel Tower: there are three levels that are open to the public. The first level is 57 meters high, the second at 115 and the last at 276 meters high. You may use the elevators or go up on foot, using the stairs. The stairs They are cheaper and on a day with good weather the idea is not bad, although you should know that the stairs only reach the second level and involve climbing 704 steps. To the highest part yes or yes it is reached by elevator.
If you decide to use the stairs you pay 10, 70 euros per adult and you get to the second level. Combining there with the elevator to the top, the ticket costs 20, 40 euros. If you do not want to use the stairs and prefer to be carried then the ticket from the base to the top costs 26, 80 euros per adult. Young people between 12 and 14 years old pay less and nothing for children under 4 years old.
Obviously it is always advisable to buy tickets online, before traveling, especially if your idea is to reach the top of the tower. If you only want to go to the second floor and plan to use the stairs, then it may not be necessary. Of course, if you are organized, the advantage of the tickets is that they have a date and time and you will gain time during the visit. Reservations can be made up to two months in advance and if you go in the summer season I would say that it is essential to program like this.
The visit to the Eiffel Tower starts in the atrium, with the four iron pillars and the tower rising between them to 324 meters. Standing there one has a phenomenal perspective view of the Trocadero – Escuela Militar axis. In the atrium is, on the west pillar, the information point, and the sculpture of Gustave Eiffel. There is also a shop, a kiosk and a series of buffets to eat and drink.
On the first floor is the transparent floor and the outer corridor with its display cases and digital albums, a terrace, more buffets, and a flight of the original spiral staircase used by Gustave Eiffel to go up to the second floor. It was dismantled in 1983, part was sold at a good price and part was placed here on the first floor.
The views from the second floor are marvelous and the Louvre, the Seine, Montmartre, Notre Dame unfold... There are also shops, restaurants, a macarons and the Jules Verne restaurant with its three rooms 125 meters high. It adds the La Verrière store, the Seine Store and a modern buffet.
Finally, the top It is the strawberry of the dessert. It is accessed by glass wall lifts and at 276 meters high it has no rival. He has turn two levels, one covered and one outdoors. You can go day and night. There is the champagne bar, open from 12 noon to 22 pm, the 1/50 scale model of the summit, painted in the original color of the tower which was auburn, and several orientation panels.